Stress Awareness Month Helps Diagnose Serious Conditions

ALPHARETTA, Ga. - April 21, 2015 - PRLog -- The American way of life has somehow shifted from independence and rugged self-reliance to something almost punitive. It has somehow become an accepted norm, even a point of pride, to ignore one’s health in the name of exhibiting an exceptional work ethic.

Today Americans are sleeping less than they should, self-medicating their exhaustion with multiple lattes and scheduling every minute of the day.  As a result, most people find themselves accepting stress as a normal state of health.

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), stress is defined as the brain's response to any demand. Many things can trigger this response, including change, physical ailments or mental health issues.  Stress, in flight or fight situations, can protect and keep us safe. However with chronic stress, those same nerve chemicals that are life-saving in short bursts can suppress functions that aren't needed for immediate survival. If the stress response continues for an extended period of time, the body starts to have an adverse reaction.

Chronic stress can also be a manifestation of underlying medical conditions.  Depression and anxiety can frequently be dismissed, as Americans continue to accept a chronic state of pressure.  Chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia can also produce mental strain.  Those with dementias and Alzheimer’s disease find themselves with elevated levels of stress as they struggle with their condition.

Addressing these medical issues can not only improve an individual’s quality of life through improving their daily functioning, it can remove the resultant stress.  Getting an appropriate diagnosis from a physician is the first step in achieving better health.

The Institute for Advanced Medical Research focuses on researching new treatment options for those whose medical diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia and Alzheimer’s disease interferes with everyday living. “Most Americans have simply accepted that chronic stress and its physical symptoms are a part of life.  This makes it more difficult for them to seek treatment for more serious, underlying medical conditions.  We are working diligently to bring about both awareness the community and new neuropsychopharmacology options that offer better results with fewer side effects to those who need help,” said Angelo Sambunaris, M.D., (http://www.iamresearch.org/about-us/leadership/) Founder and Medical Director at the Institute for Advanced Medical Research.

To learn more and see if you qualify for an anxiety research study, contact the Institute at 770-817-9200.

About the Institute for Advanced Medical Research

The Institute for Advanced Medical Research empowers individuals struggling with neuropsychological conditions to actively participate in their treatment. By educating and informing patients and their families, the team offers them a renewed sense of purpose. Rather than simply being victims of a disease, study participants become health care heroes, creating a personal legacy of advancing medical science.

Adhering to the highest standards of quality and strict ethical principles of medical research, the Institute employs a patient-centered approach that balances a commitment to safety with highly personalized care. Since 1998, the Institute has helped more than 3,000 individuals improve their quality of life while ensuring that millions more can benefit from access to innovative medical treatments. For more information, visit the Institute for Advanced Medical Research (http://www.iamresearch.org/) website at IAMResearch.org (http://www.iamresearch.org/), or call 770-817-9200.